Suppressed <i>p</i> CO ₂ in the Southern Ocean Due to the Interaction Between Current and Wind

The Southern Ocean, an important region for the uptake of anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2), features strong surface currents due to substantial mesoscale meanders and eddies. These interact with wind modify momentum transfer from atmosphere ocean. Although such interactions are known reduce transfer, their impact on air-sea exchange remains unclear. Using a 1/20° physical-biogeochemical coupled ocean model, we examined current-wind interaction concentration in Ocean. decreased winter partial pressure CO2 (pCO2) at mainly south northern subantarctic front. It also reduced pCO2 summer, indicating enhanced uptake, but not same extent as loss. Consequently, net outgassing was found be by approximately 17% when including interaction. changes stem combined effect vertical mixing Ekman divergence. A budget analysis dissolved inorganic (DIC) revealed that weakening reduces supply below, particularly so winter. weaker stress additionally lowers subsurface DIC which can affect diffusive flux Our study suggests ignoring Ocean overestimate outgassing.